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Dextromoramide pharmacokinetics following sublingual administration
T E Jones1, R G Morris, N C Saccoia
1Department of Pharmacy, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville, South Australia.
Palliative Medicine
|October 1, 1996
Summary
Sublingual dextromoramide absorption was highly variable in patients on chronic opioid therapy. The standard tablet formulation is not suitable for sublingual use requiring rapid pain relief.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Pharmacy
- Pain Management
Background:
- Dextromoramide is an opioid analgesic.
- Sublingual administration offers potential for rapid onset of action.
- Patients on chronic opioid therapy may have altered drug pharmacokinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess dextromoramide absorption and pharmacokinetics after sublingual administration in patients on chronic opioid analgesia.
- To evaluate the suitability of the standard dextromoramide tablet formulation for sublingual use.
Main Methods:
- Pharmacokinetic study involving five patients on chronic opioid analgesia.
- Administration of standard 5 mg dextromoramide tablets sublingually.
- Assessment of drug absorption, time to peak concentration, and clearance.
Main Results:
- Negligible absorption observed in two out of five patients.
- Prolonged time to peak concentration in three patients.
- Substantial inter-patient variability in dextromoramide clearance.
Conclusions:
- The standard 5 mg dextromoramide tablet formulation demonstrates unreliable and variable sublingual absorption.
- This formulation is not recommended for sublingual administration when rapid and predictable analgesia is needed.
- Further research into alternative formulations or administration routes may be warranted for sublingual dextromoramide therapy.